5 Ways to Reinvent the Traditional Tux

While the focus of a wedding is on the bride, she's not the only one under pressure to look their best on the big day — the groom needs to shine too! In a formal wedding, trying to stand out amongst your groomsmen, and the sea of tuxedos from your guests can be quite a challenge, but not impossible. The tuxedo is actually a very versatile garment so don't let formality stop you from showing off your personal style. From patterned ties to textured detailing, we'll show you how to give your evening wear some individuality.

Textured Details

Formal weddings usually call for a black tux, limiting your color options, but a textured jacket is a great way to work around that limitation. A velvet jacket in a midnight blue or rich burgundy, for example, can substitute for a tuxedo over a crisp white shirt, black bow tie and tux trousers.

Minimalist Moment

A traditional three-piece tuxedo, complete with waistcoat or cummerbund, can seem opulent, even for the most traditional groom. Relax the rules of formality by taking a minimalist approach to your formalwear. Ditch the dress shirt for a slim-fit grand dad-collared shirt and leave the bowtie at home entirely.

Pattern Play

While we might discourage a patterned suit, there's no reason patterns can't show up in other ways on your tux. The pattern can be as subtle as a black jacquard or as bold as a colorful floral and can be featured on your accessories like your tie, socks, or pocket square. For a casual wedding, you could even get away with a patterned shirt under a deconstructed blazer.

Fancy Footwear

What to wear on your feet may not rank that highly on your list of priorities for your wedding, but shoes are a great way to showcase your style in a tuxedo. If you want to keep things relaxed, try swapping out your black Oxfords for a more casual shoe. A lace-up leather sneaker in neutral tones, or a patent leather loafer — sans socks — can instantly modernize a traditional tux.

Personal Touch

With a more formal dress code, the best way to stand out is with subtle changes. Personalize the standard tuxedo look by having your initials — or your bride's initials — sewn onto your shirt's cuff. It's also an easy way to give a rented tux, a custom feel.